Read: Eddie Hearn ready to make Devin Haney vs. McCall was the brand new WBC heavyweight champion of the world. The champion crashed to the canvas and though he beat the count the referee – the little known (at the time) Jose Garcia – waved the fight off. The plan worked perfectly as McCall, with his eyes closed, caught Lewis flush with a huge right hand that connected on his wide open chin. Steward had noticed how Lewis was vulnerable to right hand counters and gave McCall orders to throw one with all his might whenever Lennox left himself open after throwing his own shots. Then, in round two, barely half a minute in, McCall unleashed the punch Steward had worked on incessantly with him in the gym. Back in his corner he listened to instructions from his then trainer, Pepe Correa. The first round came and went without any hitches for Lennox, as he just shaded an eventless round. His hometown fans were about to witness a huge heavyweight upset. Read: Dillian Whyte Fuming, Says Joshua/Hearn Never Really Wanted The FightĪ successful defence was expected by practically everyone beforehand and Lewis, defending the title in the country from which he hailed, was a big betting favourite. And this he was tonight, by none other than Steward. He was not a fighter to take lightly when prepared correctly. However, he could also be a dangerous puncher. Clearly Oliver McCall was somewhat unique. One only had to see the bizarre way he entered the ring to fight – he was in tears. It wasn’t hard for those in the audience to figure out for themselves that “The Atomic Bull” was kind of different. He was known as a veritable headcase by some figures in the sport for various reasons. Oliver McCall was a tough, but unpredictable and unreliable fighter. He later said how he was almost desperate to become Lewis’ trainer, and get his hands on him and mould him into the fighter he believed he could become. Steward knew how Lewis could be beaten, and Emanuel also knew how to prevent him from losing. At this time the legendary Emanuel Steward had his eye firmly on Lennox. Lennox Lewis, still a relatively new champion, was making his third defence, and so far during his five year pro career, Lennox had gotten away with fighting while using his still raw, natural talent. Almost a quarter of a century ago today, September 24, 1994, a big heavyweight upset took place at Wembley, the scene of so many great nights for British boxers.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |